Easy access credit card holder

ABSTRACT

A card case which will make credit card selection easy while providing for neat card storage and reducing the likelihood of dropping cards on the floor or onto a counter top.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a simple method of keeping such varied itemsas credit cards, identification cards, drivers licences, membershipcards and many other cards plus such items as photographs, paint colorsamples, and paper samples, among a potential multitude of other items,in a neat package easily carried in a pants pocket, an ordinary shirt orblouse pocket, a purse or similar carrying device. Using this devicepermits a person to carry a large number of cards in a case from whichany individual card can be easily extracted without removing the entirecontents of the case, and at the same time the remaining cards arefirmly held within the case and will not fall out onto the floor or onto a counter top. After a card is withdrawn and used, it is a simplematter to reinsert that card into the case with little effort.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

About three years ago I entered a hospital for a series of tests and asubsequent brain tumor removal. At the admitting desk I was required tofurnish at least the following cards—Social Security, Medicare,Supplemental Insurance Card, Drivers License, a previously issuedHospital ID card and several more items which have slipped my memory.About the only thing they did not ask for was a copy of my ArmyDischarge Papers! In the process of finding all this material it wasnecessary to empty my wallet, a separate case for my drivers license andinsurance cards and one or two other things that were carried loosely inmy pockets. Getting out what was required resulted in a large pile ofdocuments on the admitting desk and inverted pockets around theperiphery of my body. It took considerable time to reallocate all thecards to their usual resting place. The experience was so annoying thatmy search for a simple solution to the problem began shortly after myrecovery from surgery.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

A patent search found many patents issued for carrying cards and similaritems. Among the items found were wallets, purses, business card cases,photograph albums, swatch books for various products such as paint colorchips, building siding samples, roofing samples, carpeting samples andmany other items which could be easily displayed using the principle orthis proposed credit card holder. That search resulted in only one itemthat remotely resembles the subject of this patent application and thatitem is the ROLODEX card filing system. A Rolodex does have the abilityto insert or remove a card which has properly spaced and properlydesigned holes in one edge, but it would hardly be appropriate forcarrying in a persons pocket. Most credit card cases are simple foldover items directly related to business card cases where the user mustremove a group of cards from the case, thumb through them to find thecorrect card, use it, and then stuff the utilized card back into thecase. A second current method of carrying credit cards is in acompartment of an ordinary wallet or an ordinary purse. The same problempersists, namely sorting through a stack of cards possibly located inseveral different wallets or trouser pockets, and trying to find thecorrect card. A third common method of carrying credit cards is in awallet or folder which contains a long plastic sleeve divided intoindividual pouches which fold up somewhat like an accordion, each pouchholding a separate card. We have all witnessed some of our brethrendangling a long receptacle of this type, struggling to find the correctcard and upon occasion depositing more than one card on the counter topor even on the floor and then collecting the debris and trying toreinsert it into appropriate pouches.

It is apparent to most users of credit cards that a need exists formaking the storage and selection of such items easier than what we havein the present state of affairs. Examination of the cited patents makesit obvious that none of them offer the simplicity and neatness ofstorage and retrieval of cards that this patent application offers.

The following patent numbers constitute a range of significant priorart:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,698—of Oct. 6, 1987—Holdener    -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,926—of Aug. 13, 1991—van der Toorn    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,253—of Apr. 4, 1989—Harmatuik    -   D312,532—of Jul. 20, 1987—Prey; Kuno    -   D376,257—of Dec. 10, 96—Broussalian    -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,419of Dec. 6, 1994—Takayama

These inventions are typical of a very large body of card holding priorart that in their use would be even more aggravating than stuffing allof ones cards into a wallet pocket or securing a group of cards with arubber band. The ideas are workable but decidedly awkward andinconvenient.

Among the multitude of patents for an item suitable for carrying creditcards these are merely representative of a large mass of patents in thisparticular field. I do not list more since I am sure that the field willbe examined by your office in great detail and perhaps with greaterincite than I possess.

There is one new item now being introduced to the market place and thatis a credit card being offered by the issuers of the DISCOVERY creditcard. Some of the characteristics of this card are as follows:

-   -   1. This new card is somewhat oval in shape.    -   2. The card is a bit smaller that the common credit cards now in        use.    -   3. The card has a hole in one edge of the card.    -   4. The card is also encased in what appears to be a plastic case        which conforms closely to the shape of the card itself.    -   5. A key chain is, or can be threaded through the edge of this        case.    -   6. The issuers pitch for the card is that a user will no longer        have to search through his or her wallet, purse or other        carrying device to locate the credit card.    -   7. It is suggested by the issuer that this configuration will        make it easier to locate the card in ones pocket or purse. True,        if you have only one card. If you have many cards you would have        a pocket full of key chains to sort out in order to find the one        you need!    -   8. The hard plastic case also has a metal clip attached to it        for use in attaching the case to ones belt or necklace or        something of that nature. A mental picture of a user carrying        ten or twelve such cases on his or her belt once more indicates        that the ‘Discover’ configuration of a credit card holder would        be quite inconvenient for anyone carrying more than one or two        credit cards plus insurance cards plus a drivers license

If I were to have such a device for each card I carry you would hear thejangle of a dozen hard plastic cases in my pocket with every step Itook!In addition this design does not appear to permit the use of thecard in an ATM machine. Such ATM use is workable with the devicedescribed in this patent application. Those statements are also true of“Pay at the Pump” gas station usage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Combining and modifying certain features of present practice into a newconcept can aid materially in the ability to carry the multiplicity ofcards that most of us find essential in this modern world and to carrythose cards in an organized, neat, easily retrievable manner.

Present practice often utilizes a case the approximate size of a creditcard. This practice will also be utilized by this invention. Aparticular addition to the present practice is to allow the cards in thecard case to be examined quickly by merely fanning them out. With theproposed configuration this fanning can be accomplished without thedanger of spilling the cards out of the case onto the floor or countertop because the cards are securely held in the case by a post as shownin the drawings. Once the cards are fanned out the user can select thedesired card, pull it off the post that holds it in the case, utilizethe card and then replace the card in the case by snapping it back ontothe post.

Existing cards will have to be modified before they will fit into thenewly designed card case. That modification will be a key hole shapednotch cut into the edge of a presently configured credit card issued asshown in the drawings. This notching can be accomplished in severalways-

One way would be to design a hand punch similar to a punch used byconductors on a train to punch tickets. Instead of a plain hole or astar or some other configuration, the cutting die would be in the propersized configuration of a key hole. A base must be designed to hold eachcredit card in exactly the same position when the key holes are punched.Otherwise the location of the key hole would vary from card to card andthe contents of the case would be uneven. Such a punch could be utilizedby individuals to modify their existing cards. In making a prototype ofthis case I utilized a hand punch similar to the punches used by trainconductors to punch train tickets. It took a good deal of effort to dothis but a slight redesign of the punch, namely making the handles a bitlonger to increase the leverage will alleviate that problem. The use ofa standard punch also made only a round hole in the cards. It wasnecessary to cut a channel from the edge of the card into the punchedhole, such channel being slightly smaller at its point of entry into thepunched hole than the diameter of the hole itself. This is necessary toallow the card to snap onto and off of the post in the case and notallow it to be put or taken off the post without a slight bit ofpressure being exerted by the user.

A second method would be to design a sturdier device with heavierhardware to be utilized by issuers of credit cards should they elect tosupply the card case of this patent to their customers for a small fee,as perhaps a promotional venture. As part of the card issuer procedurethey would punch the customers cards at their place of business as partof their promotional effort. Such a device could be similar to punchescurrently used to punch two holes near the top of a form to allow such aform to be held in place in a file folder or to punch three holes inpapers to be inserted into a three ring binder.

Issuers of new credit cards could have the cards produced by the cardmanufacturer with the key hole notch molded into the corner of the cardduring the regular card production process. This would not be difficultnor would it be costly, at least in the opinion of a manufacturer ofcredit cards who currently makes some credit cards with a tab hinged toone end of the base card, said tab having a hole molded into it, saidhole being there to accommodate a key ring. Large issuers of creditcards might go in this direction, first in an effort to increase theirclient base by using some tie in of a convenient card case with aninitial signing of by a new customer or with a renewal of presently heldcards. A further modification could be the cutting of a right anglenotch in the card rather than a key hole shaped notch. Such anarrangement may work as well as the keyhole notch but the better of thetwo systems will be determined by practice and experience. Basically alarge number of notch configurations may be developed which areworkable.

The foregoing 2 pages give a brief idea of the preferred embodiment ofthis invention. There are however several different uses requiringdifferent configurations of parts of the invention, among them are thefollowing-

-   -   1. Photograph albums varying in size from those as small as a        credit card to 8×10 inches or even larger. In such a use, the        photos could be laminated and then punched to form a notch or        pre-notched clear sleeves could be made, into which, the photos        could be inserted. Once again merely fanning out the contents of        the album would enable a person to select one or more photos of        particular interest and extract them from the album for more        convenient viewing. Such a usage would probably increase the        life of the photos because they would be protected by either        lamination or by plastic sleeves.    -   2. Paint color chips could be fit into an appropriate sized        cover and utilized to actually place sample color swatches on a        given surface to give a better feeling for what the finished job        may look like.    -   3. Actual samples of vinyl siding or of roofing shingles could        be snapped in and out of a cover similar to the cases and/or        albums previously discussed and would also enable a potential        user to get a better idea of what the finished job might look        like than if that user picked out a color from a display of        materials at a contractors place of business.    -   4. A strap of material made of plastic or in some uses even made        of sturdy types of cloth can be used in place of a case which        covers the entire contents. This embodiment would not protect        the cards, photos or samples as well as a case covering the        entire contents being held by the post but for some applications        it might be quite suitable.    -   5. A post with no cover and no strap could be effective for        certain applications where protection of the displayed product        is of no consequence.

There can be variations in design based upon different uses but thebasic concept of the product being held in place by a post and theproduct having a notch in it to enable that product to be snapped on andoff the retaining post are the common elements which makes thisapplication unique and patentable.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of this invention are:

-   -   a. To allow a multiplicity of cards to be carried in a small        case.    -   b. To make it more convenient to extract and reinsert cards from        and into said case than is true of present practices.    -   c. To allow a user to carry 9 or 10 cards in a case the        approximate length and width of a credit card and a thickness of        approximately ½ inch. Should a user requirement be that he or        she carry 15 cards , a case ¾ inches thick will accommodate that        many cards. Should a person have to carry 20 cards, a case 1        inch thick will hold that quantity. Even a case 1 inch thick is        small enough to be carried in the shirt pocket of an ordinary        dress shirt.    -   d. To provide a case that does not permit any card to        accidentally fall out if inserted properly.    -   e. To allow the contents of the case to be scrutinized for        proper card selection without removing any of the cards reviewed        except the card required.    -   f. To be able to allow presently issued cards to be modified to        fit the case.    -   g. To be able to supply future cards in a configuration which        does not require modification.    -   h. To provide a configuration where the use of a card in an ATM        machine is workable even though the card itself is physically        modified.    -   i. To provide a configuration where the card can be used for        “Pay at the Pump” services.    -   j. To provide means for constructing photograph albums of        various sizes utilizing the same basic concept as that utilized        for credit cards and I.D. cards.    -   k. To provide means for constructing swatch books for various        products utilizing the same basic principle as that utilized for        credit cards and I.D. cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure Number and View

FIG. 1. Top View of credit card case showing contents of case fannedout.

FIG. 2. View a—Typical credit card case shown in flat open position.

FIG. 2. View b—Top view of typical credit card case closed.

FIG. 3. Partially open, empty credit card case illustrating how a cardholding post would be assembled into the credit card case.

FIG. 4. View a—End view of assembled credit card case empty.

FIG. 4. View b—End view of assembled credit card case filled with cards.

FIG. 5. View a—Typical credit card—reverse side showing position of amagnetic strip in relation to a notch in the edge of the card.

FIG. 5. View b—Typical credit card—front side showing approximateposition of the notch in the edge of the card.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

FIG. 1. Credit Card Case Showing Cards Fanned Out\

-   -   1 Credit Card Case    -   2 Post To Hold Cards In Place    -   3 Cards In Fanned Out Position

FIG. 2. Credit Card Case

-   -   View A—Case Cover Laid Out Flat        -   1A Credit Card Case Laid Flat        -   4 Holes In Cover To Accommodate Post Part 2    -   View B Closed Credit Card Case        -   1 Credit Card Case—Closed—Top View        -   4 Hole In Cover To Accommodate Post 2

FIG. 3—Credit Card Cover Partially Open

-   -   1C Partially Open Credit Card Cover    -   2A Male Portion Of Post 2    -   2B Female Portion Of Post 2    -   4 Holes to accommodate Post 2

FIG. 4—Credit Card Holder—Empty

-   -   View A—Closed, Empty Credit Card Cover        -   1B End View Of Closed, Empty Credit Card Cover        -   2 Post        -   2A Male Portion Of Post 2        -   2B Female Portion Of Post 2    -   View B—Closed, Full Credit Card Cover        -   1B End view of Closed, Full Credit Card Cover        -   2 Post        -   3 a End View Of a Stack Of Credit Cards Being Held In Place            By Post 2

FIG. 5. Single Credit Cards

-   -   View A—Back Of A Typical Credit Card        -   3B Back Of Credit Card Showing Location Of Magnetic Strip        -   5 Notch in Card Edge To Accommodate Post 2    -   View B—Front Of Typical Credit Card        -   3C Front Of Credit Card        -   5 Notch In Edge Of Card To Accommodate Post 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many ways, there isshown in the drawings and will be described here in detail rhe preferredembodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to beconsidered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to theembodiment illustrated.

FIG. 1 shows the general outward appearance of what the preferredembodiment would look like. Most embodiments could well be similar inoutward appearance, although a considerable range of sizes can beutilized for certain uses such as:

-   -   Photograph Albums    -   Roofing Samples    -   Carpeting Samples    -   Paint Samples    -   Business Card Cases        (Other than cases for carrying ones own business cards)

The configuration of the post or the notch may also be modifies to allowfor differing uses but it will become apparent that most of thesechanges will be mere modifications of the concept out lined in thisapplication.

Certain changes would be obvious were one to utilize this basic idea todisply carpeting samples, for example.

Many carpeting outlets have samples of carpeting about 24×32 inches insize which they stack together in about a four inch thick display case.The individual pieces of carpet have holes near their upper edge. Theseholes are fit over posts in a carrying display case somewhat like abriefcase in size, but having no front panel. The case has a carryinghandle along the top edge. A sales person can take such a case with himor her to show potential customers what the varioius samples might looklike in their home or place of business, To adequately display thesesamples and lay them flat on a client's floor necessitates opening thecase at the top, removing as many samples as necessary to get thedesired piece and the to repeat the process again when returning thesample to its carrying case. A modification of the idea proposed in thisapplication could easily solve this problem.

It would be a simple thing to do to cut or punch an inverted “J” shapednotch near the top of each carpet sample then instead of removing abunch of samples to select the one your customer wishes to view youmerely lift the particular sample off its inverted ‘J’ hook, place it onthe floor and replace it when done by simply hooking it back into itscorrect place in the carrying case. This same type of reasoning wouldsolve similar problems with paint samples, siding samples and many otherapplications yet to be thought of.

A quite different use would also apply to business cards. Notnecessarily ones own cards but cards of customers, family members,emergency cards and other often needed addresses or phone numbers whereit is not convenient to use a phone book or the internet!

EXAMPLE

Use a case similar to the proposed credit card case but merely drill ahole in the cards you want to carry and slip those cards over a postsimilar to the post proposed in this application. You wont wear themout, but they will always be easily available if you need them.

The possible applications may be very large.

Conclusions and Ramifications

-   Examination of prior art shows a multitude of patents issued in this    field. None of them provide the compact, neat, easily utilizable    method and hardware that this application offers.-   Will this device make it easy to select a needed card?—YES!-   Will this device keep one from dropping a hand full of loose cards    on the floor?—Yes-   Will this device allow one to select a needed card without having to    look thorough every card in ones purse, wallet or pocket?—YES-   Is this device cumbersome or difficult to use?—No-   Can this basic principle be utilized in a variety of ways?—Yes-   Is the device simple and economical to produce?—Yes

Applicant believes that this simple concept is much superior to wallets,rubber bands, paper clips, plastic sleeve accordion like devices oranything else he has been ab le to find.

It is Cheap. It works. It is easy to use. It helps prevent aggravation.

1. A fold over card case comprising: a. a folded over case having twoopposing openings therethrough and a post which is inserted through saidopenings b. a case cover may be made of leather, plastic, heavy cloth orsuch other materials, which when folded, will be stiff enough to holdthe basic shape of the case while remaining resilient enough to becomfortable in a persons pant or shirt pocket
 2. A notch in any card,photo, or sample designed to hold items such as the following in a caseas described in claim 1: a. Such articles as a credit card, a paintswatch, a building siding sample, a carpeting sample, a photograph, awallpaper sample, a clear plastic sleeve into which any of the foregoingitems could be inserted, All such items having a notch in one edge whichis constructed in such a manner that the notch, which when one of theaforementioned objects is inserted into any of the afore mentionedcases, said notch will embrace the post in said case in such manner asto hold the object firmly enough to prevent its falling out of said caseunless intentionally pulled off the post by the user b. A notch in theapproximate shape of a key hole is believed to be the best notchconfiguration for the applications tested although it is recognized thatother shapes may be better for certain applications, such determinationto be made for future applications as they come into being.
 3. A punchto cut the notch in such items as credit cards, photographs,identification cards, drivers licences, and Social Security cards andother items as described in claim
 1. A hand punch similar in design tothose used by train conductors to punch railroad tickets will besuitable with some modification comprising: a—The cutting die will be inthe shape of a key hole b—The handle grips should be lengthened to giveincreased leverage to the user.
 4. A punch press with a key hole shapedpunching die will enable more rapid and less physically tiring work thana hand punch
 5. Keyhole shaped posts can be utilized in the basicmanufacturing of the credit card itself so that no additional laborwould then be required to create a card with the key hole molded into itat the factory